Barbara Zelop

One thing that drew me to becoming a therapist is my own journey through therapy. I suffered with PTSD for years, and it was through exposure therapy that I was able to heal. That journey gave me closure, and so much confidence and ability to advocate for myself. And an ability to just persevere, no matter what. I was a fashion designer for 29 years before I chose to become a therapist. When I changed professions, I wanted to maintain my values of creativity. I worked to become an art therapist, which I still am today. Working with OCD allows me to use this creativity to help others more effectively. Sometimes images can help people more than words. Especially with OCD, sometimes people have intrusive images before their thoughts. I have found value in helping people use their creativity in ERP to overcome OCD. I also run a support group called Creativity and OCD.

I believe that OCD is so misunderstood, and ERP has good results. It is evidence-based, and the data is solid. I feel a lot of satisfaction in helping people with ERP, because it significantly allows people to improve their ways of life. You can learn that you are not your thoughts. Your thoughts don't define you; your values define you. In the end, we're not human doings. We're human beings.

I have worked in the inpatient hospital and intensive outpatient fields. I've worked with severe and persistent mental illness: PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, generalized depression, and substance abuse.

Finding out who you are and what values matter to you is important to me. Through that, we will develop a treatment plan. It's not about what works best for me; it's about what will work best for you. ERP is a challenging treatment, but it gets results. I will work within your value system and give you a lot of support and encouragement. I will basically become your cheerleader. You are stronger than OCD. You're braver, stronger and more courageous than you think you are. ERP is the most effective treatment that I've worked with as a therapist. With slow, steady, gradual exposure to cognitive distortions, you can gain confidence that you are not your thoughts.

If you're afraid, I accept that. I don't pressure anybody to share anything with me. We can talk about whether your fear is generated by any cognitive distortions (which are thoughts you believe to be true without data; when you're going on feelings, not facts). I trust that you will share what you're comfortable with, when you're comfortable. Therapy is not a place of judgment. It's a safe space to share your fears.